Your care experience

During your first visit to Mayo Clinic, you will usually be assigned to a Mayo Clinic staff doctor, who will coordinate your care. If your local doctor did not refer you to a particular Mayo Clinic doctor, the clinic will select a doctor to conduct your initial exam and decide which lab tests and other consultations may be needed. Your local doctor will be updated after your visit, if you wish.

We encourage you to bring a list of questions to discuss with your doctor and recommend that you meet alone for at least part of your initial visit to help develop an effective doctor-patient relationship. Consider having someone accompany you when you are receiving test results or follow-up instructions.

Matching you with the right provider

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are matched with a provider at Mayo Clinic.

Mayo Clinic's team of health care professionals is committed to working together on your behalf to provide outstanding medical care, skilled and compassionate nursing, and a supportive environment to make your hospital stay as comfortable as possible.

All Mayo Clinic staff are credentialed, licensed and qualified in their respective fields. The staff working with you can provide the best care and expertise for your situation.

Mayo Clinic strives to create an environment where everyone in our diverse community feels safe and welcome and is treated with respect and dignity. As you schedule your appointment or visit Mayo Clinic, know that the team members who care for you or your family have the expertise and skills to provide the best care possible.

Can I choose a provider based on my personal preferences?

We won't grant requests for care team members based on race, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, disability status, age or any other personal attribute.

If you'd like to speak with a representative about this policy, contact the Office of Patient Experience at:

Teamwork

If your doctor decides that you should see other Mayo Clinic specialists, those appointments will be scheduled for you. Your doctor may also consult with other Mayo Clinic specialists behind the scenes. This team approach helps ensure prompt access to all the expertise you need to find answers about your health problem.

The physicians who care for you may include physicians who are training for a particular medical or surgical specialty (residents) and physicians who have completed residency and are continuing specialized studies (fellows).

Residents and fellows work under the supervision of a Mayo Clinic physician. The Mayo team also includes trained staff who may be directly involved in your care, such as audiologists, dietitians, medical assistants, nurses and nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, and physician assistants.

Diagnosis and treatment

Your doctor will order diagnostic tests for you through a computerized system and you'll receive instructions on any necessary preparations for the tests. The majority of your lab tests will be performed and interpreted at Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville. The services of Mayo Medical Laboratories in Jacksonville and in Rochester, Minnesota, are available for highly specialized tests. This large lab is used by doctors throughout the world and provides a level of expertise not readily available in many communities.

The results of your tests will be quickly available in Mayo Clinic's electronic medical record, and in Patient Online Services. Your doctor will discuss them with you, along with results of other consultations and go over treatment recommendations. A report of your exam will be sent to you and your local doctor, if you wish.

Hospitalization

If you and your doctor decide that you need hospital care, you will be admitted to Mayo Clinic Hospital on campus. If you are too ill to be examined as an outpatient at the clinic, you may be admitted directly to the hospital. Admissions are arranged by a Mayo Clinic doctor, usually in consultation with your local doctor.

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